A special Democratic primary was held on January 7 for District 34 of the Michigan House of Representatives. Cynthia Neeley defeated nine other candidates to win the Democratic primary with 29% of the vote. She will face Republican Adam Ford in the special general election on March 10.

The seat became vacant on November 11, 2019, after Sheldon Neeley (D) resigned in order to serve as the mayor of Flint, Michigan. He was first elected to the seat in 2014 with 91% of the vote. He was re-elected to the seat in 2016 with 89% of the vote and again in 2018 with 90% of the vote.

Republicans have a 58-51 majority with one vacancy in the Michigan House of Representatives. Michigan has a divided government, and no political party holds a state government trifecta. A trifecta exists when one political party simultaneously holds the governor’s office and majorities in both state legislative chambers.

As of January, 23 state legislative special elections have been scheduled for 2020 in 12 states. Between 2011 and 2018, an average of 77 special elections took place each year.

Click here to learn more.

Additional reading:
Michigan House of Representatives District 34
Michigan House of Representatives
State legislative special elections, 2020